Is this a lens problem?

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I had a couple of pictures come out rather unusually - half the frame is totally black. I presume this means that something got in the way of light getting to the film. I am reasonably confident (but, of course, not certain) that the affected pictures were taken on a "new" 28mm f/3.5 Super Takumar lens I bought with a bunch of other stuff on eBay. This lens appears to work ok, the blades move correctly at all apertures, but there is a rattle inside the lens.

Before I consign the lens to spares/the bin, I thought I'd see if anyone can tell me what is likely to cause this problem. Here's an example:


Accidental blackout (1) by ebdl11, on Flickr
 
looks like a sticky shutter/curtain on the camera
 
It doesn't look like a lens problem. This looks to me more like a problem with the shutter on your camera. If the other frames on your film are OK, then it could just be sticking at a set shutter speed.
 
Ok, that makes sense. It was a test roll through a "new" camera. Going back over them, it looks like it happened on three frames, and I think the other two probably weren't taken on this lens. Good news for the lens, not so good for the camera.

What's likely to make the shutter stick? If it's at a set speed, is it easily fixed?
 
Well if you had something in the way (like your hand) in front of your lens it could indirectly be a lens problem :) but it does look like shutter curtain drag.
 
edmundator said:
What's likely to make the shutter stick? If it's at a set speed, is it easily fixed?
Click to expand...

I had a Nikon FM which developed a fault when used at 1/60 second, whereby it was firing at random speeds and occasionally would only partially open. All the other speeds were spot on. In the end I had it serviced and it worked beautifully after that. I wouldn't personally attempt to repair it myself.
 
I know which camera it was, so I'll mark it for emergencies only!
 
Its a Spotmatic if anyone was wondering, I apologise for going to Flickr to find out, it was awful and I won't do it again...promise.

My spotty couldn't do 1/1000th without halfing the frame every now and again, but they are old cameras now.
 
What's wrong with Flickr? (Sorry, I should have said it was a Spotmatic).
 
My Spotmatic F has exactly the same problem with the 1/1000th and 1/500th shutter speeds:

example2.JPG


After I finish the current roll of Kodak Tech Pan in it I'm sending it off for a CLA to correct it amongst some other minor problems, as its my favourite out the 6 film SLR's which I own.
 
Who is CLA? Do you know how much it's going to cost?
 
The usual suspect for a CLA (Clean, lubricate & Adjust) is Miles Whitehead. Generally speaking its about £45 for the CLA plus postage.

Andy
 
Spotmatics are really getting on now - Pentax had some seriously stellar build quality in their cameras, but decades of use mean that stuff like lubricants begin to dry up and shutters start losing their precision. A CLA will make it as good as new.
 
I'm getting a quote from Asahi Photo in London, they actually brought all of the parts for Pentax cameras before about 2000 when Penax sold them off and their technicians are Pentax trained. I was previously quoted £60 by them about a year and half ago but I didn't go through with it as I suddenly needed the money for something else. I am going to ask Miles as well though.

My one was CLA'd by the previous (original) owner about 4 years ago but it evidently needs another now, the light seals etc are fine though.
 
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No I don't have a clue; the guy that I brought it off had owned it from new when he brought it in 1973 and over the years he said that it had been serviced regularly with the most recent being about 3 years ago. I got the camera 2 years ago so thats about 5 years not 4.

The only actual problems are the shutter speeds, dirt behind the viewfinder and one of the strap lugs being loose. The seals etc are still in excellent condition.

Besides its not me paying this time, my parents are paying to have it done as a Christmas present for me as it is my favourite camera.
 
s162216 said:
I'm getting a quote from Asahi Photo in London, they actually brought all of the parts for Pentax cameras before about 2000 when Penax sold them off and their technicians are Pentax trained. I was previously quoted £60 by them about a year and half ago but I didn't go through with it as I suddenly needed the money for something else. I am going to ask Miles as well though.

My one was CLA'd by the previous (original) owner about 4 years ago but it evidently needs another now, the light seals etc are fine though.
Click to expand...

Don't bother with Asahi, although initially pleased my my LX service it became apparant that a lot less was done than was required.
 
Miles replied back to me, he wants £40 plus P&P for a CLA of a Spotmatic F.

Thats the best price I've seen anywhere so he's going to do it for me after Christmas.
 
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